Sara Pelissero

It may not feel like it, what with 80-degree temperatures this week, but hockey season is upon us. As the Minnesota Wild prepares for its opening night on Thursday, the cooks of Levy Restaurants at the Xcel Energy Center are busy cooking new creations for fans.

Turns out, Dorothy, from ‘The Wizard of Oz?’ Nothing but a trouble-making farm girl that ruined everything. That’s right. We were lead to believe she was nothing more than an innocent, naive lost child from Kansas, just trying to find her way home somewhere over the rainbow. But we know better now.

One of the most popular and beloved musicals is coming back to Minneapolis. Wicked begins a six-week tour on Wednesday at the Orpheum Theatre, following three highly successful runs in the Twin Cities since 2006.

If there’s one thing that every country star needs, it’s a good guitar strap. And if there’s one thing that Kimberlie Gilbertson knows, it’s how to make a solid, sturdy guitar strap that not only fulfills its intended purpose, but is specially designed for the musician lucky enough to wear it.

To say it’s been a crazy year for Chef Jamie Malone would be quite the understatement. Not only was she a semi-finalist for the coveted “Rising Star Award” from the James Beard Foundation but she was named one of the Best New Chefs by Food & Wine and hand-selected to the brand new culinary board for the Norwegian Seafood Council.

A French chef living in Minnesota who’s known for a burger? It’s certainly not the way Vincent Francoual would’ve predicted it but as he plans a celebration for his restaurant’s 12th year in business, he certainly can’t complain.

During a slight lull between songs, Mumford and Sons looked out across the sold-out crowd of the Xcel Energy Center and asked a simple question: “Where were you in (2008) when we played the 400 Club to 12 people?”

When one of the hottest bands in the world comes to Minnesota, they will be leaving with a personalized gift from one of our oldest companies. Mumford and Sons will play at the Xcel Energy Center on Sept. 4 and they’ll have four custom-made bags from Duluth Pack waiting for them when they do.

Admit it — sometimes you’re tempted to hit up a Twins game just for a ticket to the concession stands. It’s OK. We’ve all been there. Luckily, the Twins have been working on an idea to bring their incredible food offerings to you.

A new year, a new chance to redefine your look — but where to begin? Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to be stressful, especially if you have an expert making sure you know exactly what’s in and the trends to look for this fall. Carly Gatzlaff, of À La Mode Wardrobe Consulting, is a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant in the Twin Cities. She says it’s time to pack away the summer neons and focus on earthy tones for fall. Here’s her top 5 trends for back-to-school.

With so many new foods being offered this year at the Minnesota State Fair, how does one choose? Allow me to help narrow down the list. Here’s a few of my best bets when it comes to the new fair foods.

Stefan Richter is in the middle of processing a thought when he gets up from our table on the patio of Zelo in Minneapolis to have a cigarette. The two-time highly recognizable “Top Chef” contestant leaves the designated restaurant area, walking around a thin rope to the bustling sidewalk of Nicollet Mall.

When Sameh Wadi told his father he wanted to go to culinary school, his first response wasn’t exactly a ringing endorsement. “It was a shock. He had no idea. I mean, no idea,” he said. “My father said, ‘Oh sh–, you’re going to be flipping burgers for the rest of your life. That was his initial reaction.”

It’s the summer’s biggest fashion event in Minneapolis and this year, it’s ready to shine even brighter. Macy’s Glamorama, with the theme, “Fashion In A New Light,” will take over downtown Minneapolis this Friday with the music of Sheryl Crow, performances by Cirque du Soleil and of course, some of the biggest names in fashion showing off their fall looks.

One of the best ways to explore a city is by eating your way through it. At least, that’s the motto of a mother-daughter duo from Stillwater that’s been showing off their beloved city – one plate at a time.

In case it wasn’t already abundantly clear, this is Beyonce’s world — and we’re just living in it.
Anyone who was still on the fence about that statement left the Xcel Energy Center Thursday night completely convinced.

When it comes to culinary kitchens, you could say Christian Orosz has perfected the art of a mobile meal. From sharpening his skills in England, he went on to cook on the high seas from the kitchens of private yachts. Jumping ship (pun intended), Orosz is now the proud owner of not one but two food trucks in the Twin Cities.

Thomas Kim, also known as The Left-Handed Cook, said he always finds it amusing how often he fields the question, “You lived in Los Angeles and you moved to Minnesota? Why?” For Kim, it was simple — a great food scene, plus plenty of awesome music venues made the decision quite easy.